Decision makers

Bet on Britain’s Future – Support the bookmaking industry

Over the past few months some commentators have questioned the place of betting shops in our town centres, in spite of their continued presence there since 1961.

The industry supports more than 100,000 jobs, in particular offering flexible hours that attract a higher proportion of women and young people than other retail sectors. Bookmakers pay nearly £1 billion in tax each year, and are one of the few retail sectors which have the potential to create new jobs and support the local economy.

Last year bookmakers contributed £3.2billion to the UK economy by generating more footfall on the high street and employing local tradespeople to refurbish shops.

It is a common myth that bookmakers are proliferating on the UK high street. Shop numbers have remained stable at about 8,500 for the past decade, down from 10,000 in the nineties and over 15,000 at the end of the 1960’s.

Bookmakers are proud to offer a fun leisure activity in town centres up and down the country, with 8 million customers viewing shops as an essential part of their local communities. Bookmakers want town centres to be successful and revitalising them is fundamental to our country’s future success and prosperity.

Please sign this petition to show your support for the bookmaking industry and the thousands of hardworking and dedicated people it employs.

For more details about the Association of British Bookmakers please visit www.abb.uk.com

Over the past few months some commentators have questioned the place of betting shops in our town centres, in spite of their continued presence there since 1961.

The industry supports more than 100,000 jobs, in particular offering flexible hours that attract a higher proportion of women and young people than other retail sectors. Bookmakers pay nearly £1 billion in tax each year, and are one of the few retail sectors which have the potential to create new jobs and support the local economy.

Last year bookmakers contributed £3.2billion to the UK economy by generating more footfall on the high street and employing local tradespeople to refurbish shops.

It is a common myth that bookmakers are proliferating on the UK high street. Shop numbers have remained stable at about 8,500 for the past decade, down from 10,000 in the nineties and over 15,000 at the end of the 1960’s.

Bookmakers are proud to offer a fun leisure activity in town centres up and down the country, with 8 million customers viewing shops as an essential part of their local communities. Bookmakers want town centres to be successful and revitalising them is fundamental to our country’s future success and prosperity.

Please sign this petition to show your support for the bookmaking industry and the thousands of hardworking and dedicated people it employs.